14th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction - Santiago, Chile - 2006

Simulation as a Tool for Production System Design in Construction

Thais da C.L. Alves1, Iris D. Tommelein2 & Glenn Ballard3

1Visiting Scholar, Structural Engineering and Construction Department, Federal University of Ceará, Campus do Pici, s/n, Bloco 710, Pici, CEP: 60455-760, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, Phone: +55 85 3366-9607, Ext. 36, [email protected]
2Professor and Vice Chair of Instruction, Civil and Env. Engineering. Department, 215-A McLaughlin Hall, Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-1712, Phone +1 510/643-8678, FAX 510/643-8919, [email protected]
3Associate Adjunct Professor, Civil and Envir. Engrg. Department, 215 McLaughlin Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-1712, FAX 510/643-8919, [email protected]

Abstract

In this paper, the authors discuss the concepts of variability, buffers, and batches, as well as the interactions between them. The discussion aims at contributing to the identification of factors that impact production systems design, which includes the definition of buffer locations, buffer profiles, batch sizes, etc. The authors use a simulation model developed using STROBOSCOPE to represent five different scenarios for planning, fabrication, shipping, and installation of sheet metal ductwork in order to illustrate how production system design choices may affect the lead time needed to deliver a project. The data used to develop the model was obtained from time studies performed by the authors as well as from interviews conducted with field superintendents. In order to develop the model, the authors needed basic information about activities pertaining to the delivery of sheet metal ductwork. Modeled durations and quantities are approximations based on the data collected. The model highlights the need for and importance of reliable data when designing production systems and simulation models thereof. Effort needs to be put in by the construction industry and researchers to gather more representative sets of data that can be used to design production systems.

Keywords

Simulation, production system design, buffers, batches.

Files


Full Text
 

Reference

Alves, T. C. , Tommelein, I. D. & Ballard, G. 2006. Simulation as a Tool for Production System Design in Construction, 14th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , 341-353. doi.org/

Download: BibTeX | RIS Format

 

Founded in 1993, the IGLC is an international network of researchers from practice and academia in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of the AEC industry have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the global challenges ahead.

2015 © All Rights Reserved.